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March 17, 1964 s. J. LEWMU WATER SKI STARTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1962 F I G.

pn! ATTORNEYS IN VENTOR. STEWART J. LEONARD ryan, if

n? rJl/lllll/II March 17, 1964 s. J. LEONARD 3,125,060

WATER SKI STARTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F' I G- 6 WATER LINE INVENTOR. STEWART J- LEONARD ATTORNEYS March 17, 1964 s J, LEQNARD i 3,125,060

WATER SKI STARTING DEVICE Filed Nov. l5, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. STE WART J. LEONARD ATTO R NEYS United States Patent O 3,125,060 WATER SKI STARTING DEVICE Stewart J. Leonard, Westport, Conn. 40 Catherine St., Norwalk, Conn.) Filed Nov. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 237,810 14 Claims. (Cl. 11S- 6.1)

position standing erect, planing across the 'water from even a deep iwater start.

The great problem in teaching beginners to water ski has always been to get them up and into the proper water skling position planing across the water. When a skier has once reached the proper skiing position planing across the Water and has maintained his balance in this position, he gets the feel of it and is able to repeat the process lwith confidence. Like many other athletic skills, once learned, it is never forgotten. The problem has always been to get the novice into the proper skiing position for the first time. The water skiing art has recognized this prob-lem and has made many unsuccessful or only partially successful attempts to solve it.

Among the methods for teaching beginners to Water ski that have been tried are: various attachments to the skis themselves, special launching platforms, poles suspended from the side of the tow boat, and special water skiing schools for beginners. None of these methods has met with more than partial success.

Devices which attach to the skis themselves, as tried in the past, are potentially dangerous. Most of these devices include special release mechanisms that must be actuated through the conscious initiative of the skier, once he has attained a certain position in the starting sequence. lf something goes wrong, as it frequently does, before the skier has reached the proper release point, he may be dragged by the tow boat with his feet still locked in the bindings. Also, with these devices, if the skier manages to get up out of the water and ski, he still must perform a distinct release operation. This release operation freq-uently perforce causes slack to form in the tow line. Either the sudden jerk caused by the slack in the tow line or the release operation itself is often fatal to a beginner and causes an immediate fall.

These devices require direct attachment to the skis themselves with metal parts, and they must be fastened to the skis on dry land. Since it is physically impossible for a skier to touch the tips of his skis while he has them on in the water, he can not reattach one of these devices to his skis while in the water with his skis on, once he has fallen after releasing the device. These devices all require both specially made tow lines with attachments and special attachments on the skis themselves. Frequently the interlocking metal parts required to lock the tow lines to the skis leave protruding pieces in exposed positions that could be especially dangerous to a beginner in a fall. Further, the metal parts on these devices are impractical; they may be lost or broken and are difficult to replace. The devices are also typically not compatible with all types of skis and skiers. With these devices the skier is not `forced to take the correct starting position and may even be forced to take an incorrect position so that even if the apparatus works, it stil-l hasnt taught the skier how to get up without any device to assist him.

Special launching platforms have been devised in an effort to teach beginners to Water ski. Typically these special launching platforms comprise a ramp or two ramps attached to the stern of the tow boat. These launching "ice platforms have several distinct disadvantages. First, they are dangerous, because the motor and propeller of the tow boat are very close to the platform and this can be quite frightening to a beginner. Second they are very expensive. Third, they are complicated and difficult to install. And fourth, they do not teach a beginner how to get up from a deep water start, since they start him in a standing position, and they are thus unsatisfactory in teaching him the procedure for getting up on his own.

vIn the pole method, a pole is attached to the side of the tow boat extending approximately perpendicular to the line of travel and is usually placed at about shoulder height. The beginner then grasps the pole and uses it to hold him substantially in the standing position. 'This method has several disadvantages. The poles are expensive and complicated to install, and they are also dangerous. The motor is very near the skier and an accident could occur if the boat turns a sharp corner. The pole is impractical in that it must be disassembled if the boat is to be used for cruising or other purposes. Finally, the pole is unsatisfactory, because the beginner is in the wrong position with his arms held high and legs stretched out in front. Even if he learns to ski with the pole, he Iwill still not know how to get up at the end of the tow line without the help of the pole.

The special water skiing schools have been successful in teaching beginners to ski, but in the past, the operation has not been a profitable one. It takes too long and often requires some five to ten tries before the beginner learns to get up and sk-i by himself. The schools are also expensive, but few have been successful because of the high operating expenses and low profit margin entailed with the high capital investment required and the cost of making repeated trial runs with a beginner.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new device and method for training beginners to 4get up from a deep water start, or yother starting position, and water ski on their own. This device and method are characterized by simplicity as contrasted with prior devices and methods.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a training device and method for beginning water skiers that require the skier to assume the proper starting position for an easy and fast start-up. The device and method of this invention thus automaticallyforce a beginning skier to lassume the correct starting position; this position eases the pull on the boat and requires less horsepower to pull the skier into the erect position. Also by the device and method of this invention the lwater skis themselves are automatically clamped and held in a position from which it is easier for the tow boat to pull them up.

This invention provides a new and improved device and method for training beginning 'water skiers that employs a clamping action in which the skier himself provides the clamping force. When the device of this invention is used, the skis cannot spread apart on start-up, which is probably one of the most common faults of beginning 'water skiers, beginners almost always let the skis spread apart on the pull-up. The device of this invention gives the beginning skier stability in the water while getting set for the pull-up, eliminates pulling the skier over frontward, eliminates the excessive pulling on the tow rope by the skier that causes a backward fall, and eliminates falls to either side due to loss of balance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a training device and method for beginning water skiers that are simple to use and that quickly and easily teach the bee ginner how to get up on his skis and plane across the water standing erect. In addition to other types of starts, the skier may be taught a deep water start with this device and method, even though the skier has had no previous experience, and even though the deep water start is normally considered the most diicult method of starting. It is thus an important characteristic of this invention that it makes the deep water start a completely feasible method for the beginner, and a deep water start is by far the most practical, because most tow boats are moored in crowded harbors, and normally the tow boat must be driven out away from congested areas before it is safe to commence skiing.

Still additional objects of this invention are that for successful use of the device and method, a beginning skier only has to maintain a clamping action or slight pull on the handle. Since the handle is a lever arm, the force actually required on the part of the skier is very small, and the mechanical advantage makes it possible for persons who are not strong to get up and ski easily. By the device and method of this invention the initial hard pull of the boat is transferred directly to the skis and not through the body of the skier.

Other objects are that the device of this invention fits all sizes of water skis, fits both adults and children, and does not require exact positioning of the device on the skis for success. The device is not damaging to skis and there is nothing that has to be fastened or attached to regular water skis for use with the device. Any type of ski rope or ski tow handle may be easily attached to the device, and it fits all sizes of ski tow handles. There are no knots to tie o1' untie and no buckles or hooks to be fastened or unfastened. The device holds the tow rope well out of the skiers way and there is no danger of his becoming entangled in the tow rope. lf the skier should fall, the device releases immediately and automatically, and there are no sharp or pointed parts; it is thus a safe device.

Still further objects of this invention are that in use the device presents no slack rope problem. The device glides slowly off the tips of the skis as the skier slowly straightens his arms upon reaching a position in which he is planing across the water. So long as the clamping action of the device is maintained on the front of the skis, the skier is held in a low, crouched position, and this position gives him a very low center of gravity and increased stability at the moment of release. Since the release of the device from the front of the skis proceeds smoothly and is actually effected by tension on the tow rope, there is no slack whatsoever, and slack at the moment of release has been a big disadvantage of many of the prior devices.

The device and method of this invention may also be used to aid partially experienced skiers in effecting one-ski starts, and the principle of operation is almost exactly the same with one ski as for two skis but with the position of the skier, of course, being slightly modified to conform to the use of one ski.

The device is preferably made in a form that provides otation. This tiotation gives the skier additional buoyancy and support while waiting in the water for the pull-up, and prevents the device from sinking, if it is dropped in the water either at the end of the tow line or otherwise.

The device of this invention can be used without clamping action by simply turning it over. This is a distinct advantage in the sequence of teaching a beginner to water ski. After a beginner has used the device with clamping action once or twice to get up successfully into the erect skiing position, he will have the feel for the correct starting position and will know by experience how to adjust for the pull of the boat, but normally he will still have some difficulty in keeping his skis the correct distance apart. Accordingly, if the device is turned over, it will act as a guide box for the front of the skis and prevent them from spreading too far apart.

The device may thus be used in a steppingstone fashion to teach the beginner how to ski. For the first one or two times, the beginner should use the device with the clamping action, but then for the second or third try, he may attempt it without clamping action by simply turning the device over and using it as a guide box only. Finally, after he has used the device once or twice without clamping action, or as a guide box, he will be ready to try a deep-water start on his own without the aid of the device.

Perhaps, most important of all, the device and method of this invention enable a beginner to learn to water ski by a method that instills quick confidence. The beginner can actually get up and ski on the first try from a deepwater start or from any of the less difficult starting positions that have normally been used in the past. No falls or spills are required. In fact, about the only way the beginner can fall with the device is if he lets go of the handle, thereby totally failing to provide any clamping action. Since the beginner usually succeeds the first time with the device of this invention, no one sees him fail while he is attempting to learn. With the device of this invention there is no need for any one to hold or steer the beginner; he is on his own, and this eliminates fear. The device does all of the teaching, and the beginner can do everything that is required to successfully attain, and learn how to repeatedly attain, the full water skiing position, standing erect and planing across the water, and he can do this by himself.

To achieve its objects, and in accordance with its purpose, this invention provides means which, as embodied and broadly described, comprise a clamping frame including a front clamping bar and a rear clamping bar, a handle means to which the front and rear clamping bars are secured in fixed spaced relationship, and mg lk Mt l1 to lthe rear Vclampingt bar." In use, th erwthemwatermskior'skisso that the front clamping bar is under the skis and the rear clamping bar is on top of the skis; the tow line is secured to the rear clamping bar by the means provided for this purpose and the tow line rope passes under the front clamping bar. The handle means to which the front and rear clamping bars are secured acts as a lever and provides mechanical advantage by which the skier, grasping it at its end remote from the clamping bars, may exert clamping action of the device against the skis merely by pulling the device toward his body while maintaining a law Crouching or squatting position on the skis preparatory to the start-up.

and described.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

FIG. l shows one embodiment of the device of this invention in combination with a pair of water skis and a water ski tow line, all viewed from above;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device, water skis, and tow line as shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative and preferred embodiment of the invention with a tow line;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the device in combination with a pair of water skis and a water ski tow line together with a water skier and showing the manner or method in which the device is employed at the beginning of a deep-Water start and at the moment that the slack is taken up on the tow line;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the skier in motion after the pull-up has started and with her body substantially completely above the water line;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the skier in a position in which she is now planing across the water and in which the device is beginning its release from the water skis;

FIG. 9 shows the device after its complete release from the water skis, but with the skier still in the Crouching or squatting position; and

FIG. 10 shows the skier having attained the full erect standing position on the water skis and planing across the water, while holding on to the handle means of the device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for securely clamping and locking water skis the correct distance apart both prior to start-up and pull-up and during start-up and pull-up into the full water skiing position standing erect and planing across the water. As embodied, this means comprises a front clamping bar 10, a rear clamping bar 12, and handle means 14. Also in accordance with the invention, means are provided for securing the water ski tow line by the tow line handle to the device of the invention. As embodied in one embodiment of the invention, this means comprises a U-bolt 16, as shown in FIG. 1.

Also shown in FIG. 1, are a pair of Water skis 18 and 20, the water ski tow line 22, and the tow line handle 24. The skis 18, 20, the water ski tow line 22, and the tow line handle 24, as used in combination with the device of the invention, are all conventional items of water skiing equipment. As preferably embodied in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the front and rear clamping bars 1t), 12 are made of plastic or wooden dowels, the means for securing the tow line 22 is a metal U-bolt 16, and the U-shaped handle means 14 is preferably made of a strong tubular plastic or a metal, such as an aluminum alloy. By making the front and rear clamping bars 10, 12 preferably of wood, it is possible to secure a good non-slipping clamping grip on the wooden water skis 13, 20, and at the same time the wood against wood principle used here prevents excessive marring or disigurement of the water skis themselves. Of course, it is also possible to use a resilient material, such as rubber, in combination with wood, plastic, or the like both to achieve the desired non-slipping clamping grip and to avoid damage to the skis.

In accordance with the invention, and for best results, the front clamping bar 10 of the device should be secured just behind the place on the water skis 18, 20, where the front of the skis begins to curve upward, and this relationship is most clearly disclosed in FIG. 2.

It will be noted in the embodiment shown in FIGS. l and 2, that in order to secure the proper clamping action and the proper angle of the handle means 14 with respect to the skis 1S, 2t), each leg 15, 17 of the U-shaped handle means 14 is slightly bent at approximately the point where the rear clamping bar 12 is attached to the handle, and this point has been designated 26 in the drawings (FIGS. 1 and 2).

An alternative and more preferred form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3-5. In describing the embodiment of the invention the same reference numerals will be used as we used to describe the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but with the numerals that refer to similar parts being primed in this preferred embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the front and rear clamping bars 10', 12 are made of members having a rectangular cross-section and are slightly rounded on the surfaces that engage the skis. In both embodiments of this invention as shown in the drawings, the front clamping bar 10, 10' and the rear clamping bars 12, 12' are secured on opposite sides of the lever-handle means, 14, 14'. Clamping action is generated when the front clamping bar 10, 10' bears against the underside of the Skis 18 20 and i116 rear clamping bar 12, 125rfv bears against the upper side of the skis 18, 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

By using members of rectangular cross-section in the preferred embodiment, it is possible to obtain the desired angle on the handle means or lever-handle 14' without the necessity of creating a bend in the handle means, as was done at 26 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that if the vertical dimensions of the clamping bars 10', 12 (as shown by the end view in FIG. 4) are increased, the angle between the handle means or lever-handle 14 and the ski 18 will be increased. Conversely, if the vertical dimensions of the bars 10', 12' are decreased, the angle between the lever-handle means 14' and the skis 18 will be decreased. Obviously, and in like manner, the magnitude of the angle between the lever-handle means 14, 14 and the skis 18, 20 may be controlled to some degree by the spacing between the front clamping bar 10, 10 and the rear clamping bar 12, 12'-the greater the spacing, the smaller the angle. The space must be large enough, however, to permit the skier to insert the tips of the skis 18, 20 without undue difficulty.

Further in accordance with the invention, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the means for securing the tow line 22 by means of the tow line handle 24 comprises a loop of line 16 that is preferably compatible with, or of the same type as, the tow line 22. The use of a loop of the line 16 as the means for securing the tow line 22 by means of the tow handle 24 aids in preventing chafing and fraying of the tow line due to the friction and rubbing action induced in repeated use of the device with a given tow line.

The tow handle 24 and in turn the tow line 22 is secured to the rear clamping bar 12, 12 by means of element 16, 16 (which has an opening substantially semicircular in configuration) by passing of the tow handle 24 under the front clamping bar 10, 10', over the rear clamping bar 12, 12', and through the element 16, 16' with the longitudinal axis of the tow handle 24 substantially perpendicular to the opening of the element 16, 16'. To do this, the device is preferably held in a horizontal plane and the tow handle 24 is inserted vertically downward through the opening in element 16, 16. After the tow handle 24 has been passed completely through the opening in element 16, 16', it is rotated to a position substantially parallel to the rear clamping bar 12, 12', the tow line 22 is pulled up taut, and the tow line 22 and tow handle 24 are locked in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. To remove or free the tow handle 24, it is merely necessary to create slack in the tow line 22 and reverse the above-described procedure.

Also in accordance with the invention, means are preferably provided for insuring that the device will float in the water. As embodied, this means includes making the front and rear clamping bar 10', 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of a floating material such as wood and using a plastic or metal in tubular form for the handle with Stoppers adjacent the ends of the legs 15', 17', of the U-shaped handle 14 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to trap air in the hollow center of the tubular handle. The Stoppers 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) provided for this purpose may preferably be made of cork, and the fastening means 30 used to fasten the rear clamping bar 12 to the U-shaped handle means 14 may be used to block the stoppers 28 and insure that they are kept in place, as best shown in FIG. 5.

The operation of the device and the method of this invention in teaching a beginner the pull-up to the full water skiing position standing erect and planing across the water from a deep-water start are illustrated schematically in FIGS. 6 through 10. FIG. 6 shows the Water skier 32 in the correct starting position, Crouching with her knees between her arms and using her hands and arms to pull the U-shaped handle means 14 of the device toward her knees. It will be seen that with the exception of her head, hands and shoulders she is almost completely submerged. It will also be seen that the tow line 22 and tow handle 24 are essentially above the rear clamping bar 12, but with the tow line 22 running under the front clamping bar 10.

FIG. 7 shows the water skier in the position which she reaches very shortly after start-up of the tow boat. In this position, she still maintains essentially the same Crouching position of her body as shown in FIG. 6, but the pull of the boat has now started to lift the skis into a planing position across the surface of the water, and the body of the skier is now almost completely above the surface of the water. It will be noted that in FIG. 7 the skier still maintains a pull with her hands on the handle means 14 and pulls it in a direction toward her knees to maintain full clamping action on the front part of the water skis.

FIG. 8 shows the water skier, after the tow boat has attained skiing speed, and shows the water skier planing across the top of the water, but still maintaining her Crouching position. As shown in FIG. 8, in order to release the training device from its clamping position on the water skis, all the water skier has to do is to stop pulling the handle means 14 toward her knees, and once she has done this, the pull of the tow line 22 itself will pull the device off the front of the skis, but without creating any slack in the tow line. It will be noted that the rear clamping bar 12 rides up and off the ski tips using them as a guide.

FIG. 9 shows the water skier in the position that is attained immediately after release of the training device from the water skis. It will be noted that she is still in the Crouching position but that now the device is completely free of the skis, her arms are straight, and the tow line is almost parallel to the water line. The release of the training device of this invention from the water skis is exceptionally smooth and is automatic once the water skier breaks the clamping action by ceasing to eX- ert pull on the handle means toward her knees. Once the water skier has attained the position shown in FIG. 9, she may maintain it for a few moments to increase her stability, and she will then be prepared to stand erect in the full skiing position.

FIG. l() shows the water skier after she has attained the full water skiing position planing across the water and standing erect.

The rigidity of the device of this invention makes it possible for a skier to place it over the tips of the skis while in deep water, and the device is proportioned so that almost any size skier can easily reach the tip of the skis while in deep water. The handle means 14 gives the skier control of the clamping bars 10, 12 both before and after the skier is up on top of the water. Once the skier is up on top of the water and planing, he can continue clamping or start a slow steady release from his ski tips at his option. This feature of the invention gives the skier condence, i.e., he does not have to release the device until he feels he is stable and ready.

The clamping bars, as particularly shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 35, may easily be proportioned to provide maximum strength, a minimum amount of weight, and to place the skis at the correct angle in the water.

In preferred forms of the invention, as shown in the embodiments of both FIGS. l and 3, the handle means 14 is shaped so that it is narrower at the handle than at the clamping bars or the ends of its legs 15, 17. This shape insures that a standard set of water skis will be the proper distance apart when the outer edges of the skis rest against the legs 15, 17 of the U-shaped handle means 14, and the narrower shape of the handle proper insures that the beginner must place his arms around his legs and knees and forces him to get into the proper balled-up position, as shown in FIG. 6, for a correct start.

The means for holding the tow handle and tow line 16, 16' (FIGS. l and 3) is preferably located on the. handle side of the rear clamping bar 12, 12', as this keeps the tow handle out of the area where the tips of the skis must be inserted. Although not absolutely essential, for best operation the tow line is placed under the front clamping bar 10. This makes the release of the device smoother and the pull of the tow line from this angle tends to lock the clamping bars more tightly to the skis. Also with the tow line in this position, the skier tows behind the boat more easily.

Although the device and method of this invention are illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 as they would be used in making a deep-water start, they are by no means limited to use with deep-water starts and can be used just as effectively with other conventional types of starts, such as a start from the surface of a dock, from a beach, or from shallow water. The principle of operation is essentially the same for all these types of starts with the device insuring that the correct starting position is maintained until the skier is successfully planing across the water and ready for release. The deep-water start was chosen for purposes of illustration, since it is both the most diieult start to learn and the most useful to know. Any skier who learns how to perform the deep-water start will also be able to perform any of the other and easier starts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in both FIGS. 1 and 3, the front and rear clamping bars 10, 12 and 10', 12' should be not less than 31/2 inches apart, and the distance from the rear clamping bar 12, 12 to the central portion of the U-shaped handle 14, 14' should be about 181/2 inches. It the front and rear clamping bars are less than 3%. inches apart it is difficult or impossible for a skier to slip them over the ski tips. A distance of about 181/2 inches from the rear clamping bar to the handle gives the best results for all sizes of skiers. The width of the clamping bar space (the space between the front and rear clamping bars 10, 12 and 10', 12') and the depth of each clamping bar are mutually adjusted to insure that the handle will be at both the correct height above the skis and at the correct angle with respect to the skis, so that when the skier grasps it, his hands will be in the right position to pull toward his knees and maintain the required clamping action.

Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the U-shaped handle means 14 is made from one-inch diameter tubing. A one-inch diameter generally provides the best grip for the skier, and most ski tow bars are also of one-inch diameter.

The U-bolt or rope loop, 16, 16', is preferably about 11/2 inches in diameter measured parallel to the rear clamping bar. This dimension permits the maximum size tow handle to pass through, effectively holds the tow handle behind the clamping bar, and keeps it out of the clamping bar space where the ski tips are inserted.

With the device and method of this invention, the best clamping action is obtained against the ilat portion of the ski. If the front clamping bar 10, 10' is held against the curved portion of the ski, the clamping angle is changed and the height of the handle means is lowered, thereby increasing the force that must be exerted by the skier to maintain jamming action on the clamping bars.

With the preferred embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 3-5 and when one-inch diameter tubing is used for the handle means 14', it has been found that the proper height and angle is given to the handle means 14 for the easiest clamping, when the front and rear clamping bars 10', 12' are about 31/2 inches apart and each clamping bar is about 11A inches deep or perpendicularly distant from the handle means 14.

From the foregoing description of this invention, it is apparent that it provides a new and improved device for training beginners to water ski. The device has the merit of simplicity and is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. It requires no special attachments or devices and is used with standard type water skis, tow lines and tow handles. It is safe. It eliminates or remedies almost all the common faults of the beginning water skier and requires the skier to assume the correct starting position, and particularly for deep water starts. No great skill is required to use the device successfully and beginners who use it, quickly attain success and condence.

This invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described, but also includes within the scope of the accompanying claims any departures made from such mechanisms that do not depart from the principles of the invention and that do not sacrifice its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A training device for water skiers for use by a skier in combination with a pair of water skis, a t ineand Vtowing mean the device comprising a rot clamping ar, a rear clamping bar spaced from the front clamping bar, handle means providing a rigid interconnection between the spaced front and rear clampmg bars, and means for secunrmivnggewtow line to the device; the front clamping Bzibuning adaptemdxt'wiiditl'ir of water skis, the rear clamping bar being adapted to fit over the pair of water skis, whereby the skis may rest in the space between the front and rear clamping bars so that the handle means eX- tends away from the front of lthe skis and toward the skier.

2. A device for starting a water skier and for use in combination with two water skis, a tow -line and a towing means; the device comprising a front clamping bar, a rear clamping bar spaced from the front clamping bar, a U-shaped rigid handle means having a pair of legs, means for securing the tow line to the device, the front clamping bar spanning the legs of the U-shaped handle means adjacent their ends, and the rear clamping bar also spanning the legs of the U-shaped handle means but closer to the bight portion of the U-shaped handle means; the two water skis being received at their front ends in the space between the front and rear clamping bars with the front clamping bar under the skis and the rear clamping bar over the skis, the handle means extending away `from the front of the skis and toward the skier, whereby the skier may pull the handle means toward him and downward to create a clamping action of the device on the skis and lock the skis a set 'distance apart and in proper position for starting a pull-up.

3. A device for starting a water skier and for use in combination with at least one water ski, a tow line, and a towing means; the device comprising a lever-handle means, a front clamping bar fixedly secured to the leverhandle means, a rear clamping bar fixedly secured to the lever-handle means and spaced from and parallel to the front clamping bar, and means on one clamping bar for securing the tow line; the Water ski being received at its front end in the spiace between the front and rear clamping bars so that the front clamping bar rests against the bottom of the ski, the rear clamping bar rests against the top of the ski, and the lever-handle means extends back away from the front of the ski and toward the skier, the skier being in a crouched position, whereby when the skier is ready to start, he pulls the lever-handle means toward his body and :downward causing the front clamping bar to clamp `against the bottom of the ski and the rear clamping bar to clamp against the top of the ski to hold and stabilize the ski and the skier in the proper position for a pull-up into the full water skiing position.

4. A device for starting a water skier on water skis characterized by its stabilizing the water skis and the skier in the proper starting position until the skier is planing across the water and attained by a device for use in combination with a pair of water skis, a tow line, and a towing means; the device comprising a lever-handle means, a front clamping bar fixedly secured to the leverhandle means, la rear clamping bar tixedly secured to the lever-handle means and spaced from and substantially parallel to the front clamping bar, and means for securing the tow line to the device; the pair of water skis being received at their front ends in the space between the iront and rear clamping bars with the front clamping bar resting against the bottoms of the skis, the rear clamping bar resting against the tops of the skis, and the lever-handle means extending back from the front of the skis and toward the skier, the skier being in a crouched position, whereby when the skier is ready to start, he pulls the lever-handle means toward his body and downward causing the front clamping bar to clamp against the bottom of each ski and the rear clamping bar to clamp against the top of each ski to hold the skis a predetermined distance apart and to stabilize the skier in a squatting position on the skis ready to be pulled by the towing means and to attain a position planing across the water while in the stable squatting position.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the tow line passes on top of the re-ar clamping bar and under the front clamping bar.

6. The invention as deiined in claim 4, which also includes a tow handle, in which the tow handle is secured to one end of the tow line and in which the tow handle is secured at the rear clamping bar by the means for securing the tow line.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6, in which the means for securing the tow line and tow handle comprises a piece of line arranged substantially in a semicircular configuration to form an opening having a diameter of sufficient magnitude to admit the tow handle when the longitudinal axis of the tow handle is substantially perpendicular to the opening formed by the piece of line.

8. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the lever-handle means is substantially U-shaped and comprises a handle portion and two legs, the front clamping bar spanning the ends of the legs and the rear clamping bar spanning the legs also but closer to the handle portion than the front clamping bar.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8, in which the legs of the U-shaped lever-handle means adjacent the rear clamping bar are slightly bent upward and away from the rear clamping bar.

10. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the front clamping bar is secured on one side of the leverhandle means and the rear clamping bar is secured on the opposite side of the lever-handle means.

ll. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the lever-handle means adjacent the rear clamping bar is slightly bent upward and away from the rear clamping bar.

12. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the lever-handle means is tubular in form and sealed against water to provide air space within the lever-handle means and thereby make the device buoyant in water.

13. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the front and rear clamping bars are spaced about three and one-half inches apart and in which the lever-handle means extends about eighteen and one-half inches back from the rear clamping bar.

14. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which the lever-handle means comprises one-inch diameter tubing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,938,220 Puckett May 31, 1960 

1. A TRAINING DEVICE FOR WATER SKIERS FOR USE BY A SKIER IN COMBINATION WITH A PAIR OF WATER SKIS, A TOW LINE, AND TOWING MEANS; THE DEVICE COMPRISING A FRONT CLAMPING BAR, A REAR CLAMPING BAR SPACED FROM THE FRONT CLAMPING BAR, HANDLE MEANS PROVIDING A RIGID INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPACED FRONT AND REAR CLAMPING BARS, AND MEANS FOR SECURING THE TOW LINE TO THE DEVICE; THE FRONT CLAMPING BAR BEING ADAPTED TO FIT UNDER THE PAIR OF WATER SKIS, THE REAR CLAMPING BAR BEING ADAPTED TO FIT OVER THE PAIR OF WATER SKIS, WHEREBY THE SKIS MAY REST IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR CLAMPING BARS SO THAT THE HANDLE MEANS EXTENDS AWAY FROM THE FRONT OF THE SKIS AND TOWARD THE SKIER. 